The Park County Arts Council is pleased to sponsor this season’s performances by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. This year they bring Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” to Washington Park in Powell on Sunday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. and “Henry V” to Canal Park in Cody on Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Both performances are free.

“As You Like It” speaks to the joy and complexity of love, identity, and the transformative power of nature. This romantic comedy follows the story of Rosalind, one of Shakespeare’s most complex female characters, as she ventures into the Forest of Arden alongside a colorful cast of characters to explore questions of love and transformation.

“I love the primal idea of going back to nature to find one’s deepest desires,” said Eva Breneman, director of “As You Like It.” “I especially think the citizens of the mountain West will understand that impulse.”

“Henry V,” one of Shakespeare’s historical plays, explores leadership, honor, and the impact of decisions made in times of great uncertainty. A young man thrust into leadership of a nation torn apart by national destruction and discord, Henry grapples with the conflict between political expediency and his own moral compass, elevating themes of honor, justice and mercy.

“These ideas of loyalty, patriotism, and service are rooted in the Montana way of life,” says Kevin Asselin, director of “Henry V.” “It’s the human component within this play that I want to bring out most for our audiences.”

As with many of MSIP’s productions, audiences will experience complex and exciting fight scenes as the play culminates in the famous Battle of Agincourt.